Real Madrid wasted no time reminding everyone of their title credentials, delivering a stunning 5–1 demolition of Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu in their first match of 2026. Refreshed after the winter break, the reigning giants sent a powerful message in the La Liga title race.

Pre-match discussion among Madridistas centred on one major concern: the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappé. Logic suggested the attacking burden would fall on Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Instead, the spotlight was stolen by an unexpected hero.

Step forward Gonzalo García. The Real Madrid Academy graduate seized his opportunity in unforgettable fashion, producing a sensational hat-trick to dismantle a Betis side that had not lost away from home before this clash. Remarkably, his three goals came in three different ways — a header, a right-foot finish and a left-foot strike — a perfect showcase of a complete forward.

The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. Latching onto a pinpoint set-piece delivery from Rodrygo, García finished with a clever strike across the goalkeeper, leaving Betis helpless. While the tempo dipped slightly thereafter, Real Madrid never relinquished control.

The second half began with a devastating double blow. On 50 minutes, Gonzalo García brought the ball down on his chest and fired a stunning volley into the far corner. Just six minutes later, Marco Asensio joined the party, arriving unmarked from a corner to make it 3–0.

Betis, who had not managed a single shot on target up to that point, suddenly came to life. A dangerous free-kick from Giovani Lo Celso clipped the post with Thibaut Courtois beaten. On 66 minutes, Cucho Hernández raced through, rounded the Belgian goalkeeper and pulled one back. Moments later, Courtois produced a vital save to deny Rodrigo Riquelme, who then struck the crossbar with a curling effort in the 76th minute.

Any hopes of a dramatic comeback were finally extinguished on 82 minutes. Once again, it was Gonzalo García. Meeting a low cross from Arda Güler, the young forward produced an audacious back-heel finish into the far corner. The Bernabéu rose as one as the hat-trick hero was substituted to a standing ovation, replaced by Fran García.

The full-back added the final flourish in stoppage time, drilling home in the 93rd minute to complete a ruthless 5–1 scoreline.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real - Real Betis 5:1 (1:0)
Goals: García G., 20 (1:0); García G., 50 (2:0); Asencio R., 56 (3:0); Cucho, 66 (3:1); García G., 82 (4:1); García Fr., 93 (5:1)

Real: Courtois; Asencio R.; Carreras Al.; Fernandez Ál.; Rudiger (Mendy Fe., 88); Tchouaméni (Dani Ceballos, 81); Camavinga; García G. (García Fr., 88); Bellingham; Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior (Mastantuono, 77); Rodrygo (Güler A., 77)
Substitution: Güler A. (from 77); Mastantuono (from 77); Dani Ceballos (from 81); García Fr. (from 88); Mendy Fe. (from 88)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Jimenez D.; Alaba; Carvajal; Pitarch
Yellow Cards: Vinícius Júnior 53

Real Betis: Valles; Bartra; Natan; Rodriguez; Deossa (Lo Celso, 46); Fornals; Roca (Altimira, 67); Antony M. (Garcia P., 88); Ortiz A. (Bellerin, 46); Cucho; Ruibal (Riquelme R., 67)
Substitution: Bellerin (from 46); Lo Celso (from 46); Altimira (from 67); Riquelme R. (from 67); Garcia P. (from 88)
Bench: Adrian; Pau Lopez; Gomez Val.; Júnior Firpo; Diego Llorente; Chimy Ávila
Yellow Cards: Ortiz A. 19